Coracles!

[clivethecelt]

OK, looking for a bit of help here. I was already planning to paint up a couple of coracles before the Roman Navy showed up to disturb our legitimate trout-fishing; I've worked out that the rough size I need to accommodate a 28mm figure in a coracle and for it to look right is an oval "shell" approx 30mm x 25mm, 5-6mm deep. The "skin" would need to be about 1mm thick, I guess; I could roll the top to simulate the hazel hoop around it, and it 'd just need a plank seat. I know mikeland suggested nutshells, but I was wondering if it was possible to make a mould and use either greenstuff or ProCreate to make the shell. What would the mould be made from? Any suggestions/thoughts, please?

[carvel2]

Supportive laughter!!!!

[mrtn]

1. Take the yellow toy container from a Kinder Egg and cut it lengthwise.
2. Cut off the "bottom" of each half and replace it with plasticard or similar.
3. ???
4. Profit?

If nothing else you'd end up with a toy and some chocolate.

[clivethecelt]

@mrtn: Good idea ... this kind of research I like!

[westwaller]

@Mrtn kid of beat me to it, but I was going to suggest getting hold of some easter egg moulds.

[carvel2]

an inside out form out of some kind of clay so you get the structure of the inside. Harden. Effectively a dome with strips on...cover in ..olive oil? and press a thin layer of green stuff over it..hey presto. We could have a go at this instead of drinking beet...or do both?

[clivethecelt]

Thanks, guys! Some experimentation followed your various suggestions (involving eggcups, household ornaments and chocolate - though not necessarily in that order!). Here's the "gold standard" look I'm aiming for:


... and here's the best solution for shape so far ( ):

Will discuss beer and coracles next week, Carvel - after a quick game of "Sink the Bismarcus"!
I've seen a few of this chap's coracles at craft fairs and the like:
http://www.coraclesandcurrachs.com/coracles.html

[carvel2]

They are ace Clive!!!! Love the link. Brilliant boats. I've had a go in one a few years back..buggers to steer but loads of fun. You can call over if that fekkers painted

[Biggus Dickus]

but I was wondering if it was possible to make a mould and use either greenstuff or ProCreate to make the shell. What would the mould be made from? Any suggestions/thoughts, please?

Clive, if you are going into mass production having made a master this stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub70AU5RfmI might be the answer, i have used it myself.....very useful stuff just made a Bridge for USS Enterprise E with it! it pays for itself in the long run because you can reuse it over and over!
Clive I nearly snorted my wine when i read "Bismarcus"

Coracles are great for fishing trout out of the Roman fish farm, But how stable is it as a gun platform? is there room for an Archer/Slinger....maybe lash 4 together for a wattle Dreadnought Clearly the Bismarcus is going to be overwhelmed by numbers!

Carvel, you may need to make River delta or an estuary for this naval battle.....can i bring my Bireme?

the only other thing i can suggest is you guys might need to do this sooner or later http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Naval_Treaty

[mikeland]

Excellent work Clive... Genius idea for the shape. Are you going to use plastic celts as the crews...

And as for BD's suggestionI imagine if they could steer chariots with no hands shooting from a boat will be no problem for the celts.